'''1749.5. (a)''' It is unlawful for any person or entity to sell a gift certificate to a purchaser that contains any of the following:<br>

+

'''1749.5.'''<br>

+

(a)''' It is unlawful for any person or entity to sell a gift certificate to a purchaser that contains any of the following:<br>

::'''(1)''' An expiration date.<br>

::'''(1)''' An expiration date.<br>

::'''(2)''' A service fee, including, but not limited to, a service fee for dormancy, except as provided in subdivision (e).<br>

::'''(2)''' A service fee, including, but not limited to, a service fee for dormancy, except as provided in subdivision (e).<br>

Line 25:

Line 26:

'''(d)''' This section does not apply to any of the following gift certificates issued on or after January 1, 1998, provided the expiration date appears in capital letters in at least 10-point font on the front of the gift certificate:<br>

'''(d)''' This section does not apply to any of the following gift certificates issued on or after January 1, 1998, provided the expiration date appears in capital letters in at least 10-point font on the front of the gift certificate:<br>

-

::'''(1)''' Gift certificates that are distributed by the issuer to a consumer pursuant to an awards, loyalty, or promotional program without any money or other thing of value being given in exchange for the gift certificate by the consumer.<br>

::'''(1)''' Gift certificates that are distributed by the issuer to a consumer pursuant to an awards, loyalty, or promotional program without any money or other thing of value being given in exchange for the gift certificate by the consumer.<br>

::'''(2)''' Gift certificates that are sold below face value at a volume discount to employers or to nonprofit and charitable organizations for fundraising purposes if the expiration date on those gift certificates is not more than 30 days after the date of sale.<br>

::'''(2)''' Gift certificates that are sold below face value at a volume discount to employers or to nonprofit and charitable organizations for fundraising purposes if the expiration date on those gift certificates is not more than 30 days after the date of sale.<br>

Line 31:

Line 31:

'''(e)''' Paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) does not apply to a dormancy fee on a gift card that meets all of the following criteria:<br>

'''(e)''' Paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) does not apply to a dormancy fee on a gift card that meets all of the following criteria:<br>

-

+

::'''(1)''' The remaining value of the gift card is five dollars ($5) or less each time the fee is assessed.<br>

-

::'''(1''') The remaining value of the gift card is five dollars ($5) or less each time the fee is assessed.<br>

+

::'''(2)''' The fee does not exceed one dollar ($1) per month.<br>

-

::('''2)''' The fee does not exceed one dollar ($1) per month.<br>

+

::'''(3)''' There has been no activity on the gift card for 24 consecutive months, including, but not limited to, purchases, the adding of value, or balance inquiries.<br>

::'''(3)''' There has been no activity on the gift card for 24 consecutive months, including, but not limited to, purchases, the adding of value, or balance inquiries.<br>

::'''(4)''' The holder may reload or add value to the gift card.<br>

::'''(4)''' The holder may reload or add value to the gift card.<br>

Line 39:

Line 38:

'''(f)''' An issuer of gift certificates may accept funds from one or more contributors toward the purchase of a gift certificate intended to be a gift for a recipient, provided that each contributor is provided with a full refund of the amount that he or she paid toward the purchase of the gift certificate upon the occurrence of all of the following:<br>

'''(f)''' An issuer of gift certificates may accept funds from one or more contributors toward the purchase of a gift certificate intended to be a gift for a recipient, provided that each contributor is provided with a full refund of the amount that he or she paid toward the purchase of the gift certificate upon the occurrence of all of the following:<br>

-

::'''(1)''' The funds are contributed for the purpose of being redeemed by the recipient by purchasing a gift certificate.<br>

::'''(1)''' The funds are contributed for the purpose of being redeemed by the recipient by purchasing a gift certificate.<br>

::'''(2)''' The time in which the recipient may redeem the funds by purchasing a gift certificate is clearly disclosed in writing to the contributors and the recipient.<br>

::'''(2)''' The time in which the recipient may redeem the funds by purchasing a gift certificate is clearly disclosed in writing to the contributors and the recipient.<br>

Line 45:

Line 43:

'''(g)''' The changes made to this section by the act adding this subdivision shall apply only to gift certificates issued on or after January 1, 2004. 1749.6.<br>

'''(g)''' The changes made to this section by the act adding this subdivision shall apply only to gift certificates issued on or after January 1, 2004. 1749.6.<br>

-

:::'''(a)''' A gift certificate constitutes value held in trust by the issuer of the gift certificate on behalf of the beneficiary of the gift certificate. The value represented by the gift certificate belongs to the beneficiary, or to the legal representative of the beneficiary to the extent provided by law, and not to the issuer.<br>

:::'''(a)''' A gift certificate constitutes value held in trust by the issuer of the gift certificate on behalf of the beneficiary of the gift certificate. The value represented by the gift certificate belongs to the beneficiary, or to the legal representative of the beneficiary to the extent provided by law, and not to the issuer.<br>

:::'''(b)''' An issuer of a gift certificate who is in bankruptcy shall continue to honor a gift certificate issued prior to the date of the bankruptcy filing on the grounds that the value of the gift certificate constitutes trust property of the beneficiary.<br>

:::'''(b)''' An issuer of a gift certificate who is in bankruptcy shall continue to honor a gift certificate issued prior to the date of the bankruptcy filing on the grounds that the value of the gift certificate constitutes trust property of the beneficiary.<br>

-

::'''(c)'''<br>

+

:::'''(c)'''<br>

-

+

::::'''(1)''' This section does not alter the terms of a gift certificate. The terms of a gift certificate may not make its redemption or other use invalid in the event of a bankruptcy.<br>

::::'''(1)''' This section does not alter the terms of a gift certificate. The terms of a gift certificate may not make its redemption or other use invalid in the event of a bankruptcy.<br>

::::'''(2)''' This section does not require, unless otherwise required by law, the issuer of a gift certificate to:<br>

::::'''(2)''' This section does not require, unless otherwise required by law, the issuer of a gift certificate to:<br>

-

:::::'''(A) Redeem a gift certificate for cash.<br>

:::::'''(A) Redeem a gift certificate for cash.<br>

:::::'''(B) Replace a gift certificate that has been lost or stolen.<br>

:::::'''(B) Replace a gift certificate that has been lost or stolen.<br>

:::::'''(C) Maintain a separate account for the funds used to purchase the gift certificate.<br>

:::::'''(C) Maintain a separate account for the funds used to purchase the gift certificate.<br>

:::::'''(d)<br>

:::::'''(d)<br>

-

::::::'''(1) This section does not create an interest in favor of the beneficiary of the gift certificate in any specific property of the issuer.<br>

::::::'''(1) This section does not create an interest in favor of the beneficiary of the gift certificate in any specific property of the issuer.<br>

::::::'''(2) This section does not create a fiduciary or quasi-fiduciary relationship between the beneficiary of the gift certificates and the issuer, unless otherwise provided by law.<br>

::::::'''(2) This section does not create a fiduciary or quasi-fiduciary relationship between the beneficiary of the gift certificates and the issuer, unless otherwise provided by law.<br>

-

::::::'''(3) The issuer of a gift certificate has no obligation to pay interest on the value of the gift certificate held in trust under this section, unless otherwise provided by law. <br>

+

::::::'''(3) The issuer of a gift certificate has no obligation to pay interest on the value of the gift certificate held in trust under this section, unless otherwise provided by law.<br>

Revision as of 17:32, 20 July 2010

GIFT CERTIFICATES

(a) It is unlawful for any person or entity to sell a gift certificate to a purchaser that contains any of the following:

(1) An expiration date.

(2) A service fee, including, but not limited to, a service fee for dormancy, except as provided in subdivision (e).

(b) Any gift certificate sold after January 1, 1997, is redeemable in cash for its cash value, or subject to replacement with a new gift certificate at no cost to the purchaser or holder.

(c) A gift certificate sold without an expiration date is valid until redeemed or replaced.

(d) This section does not apply to any of the following gift certificates issued on or after January 1, 1998, provided the expiration date appears in capital letters in at least 10-point font on the front of the gift certificate:

(1) Gift certificates that are distributed by the issuer to a consumer pursuant to an awards, loyalty, or promotional program without any money or other thing of value being given in exchange for the gift certificate by the consumer.

(2) Gift certificates that are sold below face value at a volume discount to employers or to nonprofit and charitable organizations for fundraising purposes if the expiration date on those gift certificates is not more than 30 days after the date of sale.

(3) Gift certificates that are issued for a food product.

(e) Paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) does not apply to a dormancy fee on a gift card that meets all of the following criteria:

(1) The remaining value of the gift card is five dollars ($5) or less each time the fee is assessed.

(2) The fee does not exceed one dollar ($1) per month.

(3) There has been no activity on the gift card for 24 consecutive months, including, but not limited to, purchases, the adding of value, or balance inquiries.

(4) The holder may reload or add value to the gift card.

(5) A statement is printed on the gift card in at least 10-point font stating the amount of the fee, how often the fee will occur, that the fee is triggered by inactivity of the gift card, and at what point the fee will be charged. The statement may appear on the front or back of the gift card, but shall appear in a location where it is visible to any purchaser prior to the purchase thereof.

(f) An issuer of gift certificates may accept funds from one or more contributors toward the purchase of a gift certificate intended to be a gift for a recipient, provided that each contributor is provided with a full refund of the amount that he or she paid toward the purchase of the gift certificate upon the occurrence of all of the following:

(1) The funds are contributed for the purpose of being redeemed by the recipient by purchasing a gift certificate.

(2) The time in which the recipient may redeem the funds by purchasing a gift certificate is clearly disclosed in writing to the contributors and the recipient.

(3) The recipient does not redeem the funds within the time described in paragraph (2).

(g) The changes made to this section by the act adding this subdivision shall apply only to gift certificates issued on or after January 1, 2004. 1749.6.

(a) A gift certificate constitutes value held in trust by the issuer of the gift certificate on behalf of the beneficiary of the gift certificate. The value represented by the gift certificate belongs to the beneficiary, or to the legal representative of the beneficiary to the extent provided by law, and not to the issuer.

(b) An issuer of a gift certificate who is in bankruptcy shall continue to honor a gift certificate issued prior to the date of the bankruptcy filing on the grounds that the value of the gift certificate constitutes trust property of the beneficiary.

(c)

(1) This section does not alter the terms of a gift certificate. The terms of a gift certificate may not make its redemption or other use invalid in the event of a bankruptcy.

(2) This section does not require, unless otherwise required by law, the issuer of a gift certificate to:

(A) Redeem a gift certificate for cash.

(B) Replace a gift certificate that has been lost or stolen.

(C) Maintain a separate account for the funds used to purchase the gift certificate.

(d)

(1) This section does not create an interest in favor of the beneficiary of the gift certificate in any specific property of the issuer.

(2) This section does not create a fiduciary or quasi-fiduciary relationship between the beneficiary of the gift certificates and the issuer, unless otherwise provided by law.

(3) The issuer of a gift certificate has no obligation to pay interest on the value of the gift certificate held in trust under this section, unless otherwise provided by law.

Contact the Legislative Bill Room to order a copy of Amended Bill AB 1054 (1997)